When planning a trip to Montenegro, one of the first questions that might come to your mind is where do I stay if it’s my first time in Montenegro?
For the majority of other Balkan countries, the answer is pretty simple — most travelers start their journey in the capital and work outwards, so you might fly and stay in Tirana, Albania, or perhaps Belgrade in Serbia, or even Sarajevo in Bosnia in Herzegovina. Simple, right?
But with Montenegro, it’s a little different.
Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, is inland and doesn’t offer much to do (for those interested, I have a post on The Most Boring Capital Ever). In fact, most of the action is happening along the Bay of Kotor, which is where “the big three” cities are located. Let’s break it down:
The closest airport is located in Tivat (which must mean it’s the gateway to the Montenegrin coast, right?)
The most popular destination is in Kotor (with fortresses, a beautiful Old Town, and a cruise port, how can it not cinch this coveted title?)
… and all the nightlife is in Budva (which means that’s where all the excitement is?)
To add insult to injury, all three cities are within a 15-30 minute drive of each other!
Phew, I think I added even more confusion to the whole question, didn’t I? Thankfully, that’s what this guide is for! Continue reading
